NAO emphasis draws to a close
NAO emphasis draws to a close
Under the banner “Proclaim Peace through Jesus,” WELS has been emphasizing North American outreach for the past four years. Themes included Every church a mission, Every soul a treasure, Every member a missionary, and Every life for Christ. “In each [of the themes] the word ‘every’ is really important,” says former WELS President Karl Gurgel. “It reminds us of the individual opportunities that we all have to be a witness for Christ.”
The goal of North American outreach was to equip and involve every WELS church—and every member—in outreach. “Mission work is done not just by Home Missions or World Missions or the synod. It’s done by each and every one of us individually and in our congregations,” says Bruce Becker, administrator of WELS Parish Services and North American outreach coordinator. “North America is a growing mission field because the world is coming to us. And that mission field begins right next door to where we live.”
To equip and prepare congregations for outreach in their own communities, worship and outreach resources were provided for each phase. Materials included Bible studies, videos, devotions, and witnessing tools.
Although congregational participation in this initiative seemed to wane in the past two years, Becker encourages churches and individuals to continue reaching out. “Even though the four-year emphasis of North American outreach is over, it still remains a top priority in our synod to proclaim the living Jesus to a dying world.”
Pastors are encouraged to utilize resources and incorporate materials from all four phases into their worship plans. To access these resources, visit archive.wels.net/jump/nao or call 800-567-8669.
The goal of North American outreach was to equip and involve every WELS church—and every member—in outreach. “Mission work is done not just by Home Missions or World Missions or the synod. It’s done by each and every one of us individually and in our congregations,” says Bruce Becker, administrator of WELS Parish Services and North American outreach coordinator. “North America is a growing mission field because the world is coming to us. And that mission field begins right next door to where we live.”
To equip and prepare congregations for outreach in their own communities, worship and outreach resources were provided for each phase. Materials included Bible studies, videos, devotions, and witnessing tools.
Although congregational participation in this initiative seemed to wane in the past two years, Becker encourages churches and individuals to continue reaching out. “Even though the four-year emphasis of North American outreach is over, it still remains a top priority in our synod to proclaim the living Jesus to a dying world.”
Pastors are encouraged to utilize resources and incorporate materials from all four phases into their worship plans. To access these resources, visit archive.wels.net/jump/nao or call 800-567-8669.
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